Fantasy Baseball Effects of the Khalil Greene / Cardinals Trade

Earlier in the week, the San Diego Padres continued purging their roster by sending shortstop Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals for reliever Mark Worrell and a player to be named later. Let’s look at how this trade affects the fantasy value of Greene.

For the most part, any time an offensive player leaves San Diego, his fantasy value will increase. Petco Park is enormous and is not at all hitter friendly. However, fantasy owners would be unwise to think that Greene carries much value even after this trade.

When Greene came into the league, he was supposed to be a star. He came in second in the league in Rookie of the Year balloting in 2004, his only good year until 2007, when he hit 27 homers and drove in 97 runs.

2008 was a much different story. Greene struggled with injuries and played only 105 games. He hit .213 with 10 homers, 35 RBIs, 30 runs scored and five steals.

The injuries that Greene sustained in 2008 were no surprise. From 2004 to 2008, Greene played 639 games, an average of just 128 games a year. If Greene can play a whole year, like he did in 2007 (153 games), he could be a serviceable fantasy shortstop.

After all, his 162-game averages are actually respectable over the course of his career. He has averaged 21 home runs, 81 runs batted in, 74 runs scored and six stolen bases for every 162 games he has played in his career. Unfortunately, he is a career. 248 hitter.

If Greene can stay healthy and play 150 games in 2009, the move to St. Louis will help his numbers. He could be a 25-75-.260 hitter. There is just too much risk to draft him above the final rounds of the draft, though, because of his inability to stay on the field.

Mark Worrell, no relation to former Major League closers Tim and Todd Worrell, could be the heir apparent to the ineffective and aging Trevor Hoffman in San Diego.

In 2005-2006 in the minors, Worrell racked up 62 saves. In each of the last two years, while pitching for Triple-A Memphis, Worrell had fewer save opportunities. Still, in 2008, he was 3-3 in 53 relief appearances. He had five saves and a 2.15 ERA and 1.30 WHIP for the Redbirds. He also struck out 80 in 58.2 innings, for a ratio of 12.3 Ks per nine innings.

His career minor-league ERA is 2.94 over five seasons. Unless the Padres name Worrell their closer in spring training, he is not worth drafting. But, fantasy owners should remember his name. With as many changes that occur in the back end of bullpens, Worrell could be a good mid-season fantasy free agent pickup.